Hoda Kotb on ‘list’ of candidates who could replace Kelly Clarkson as host if singer leaves NBC talk show

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Hoda Kotb might replace NBC daytime talk show host Kelly Clarkson if the singer decides to leave her eponymous show after her contract ends in 2026.

The former host of ‘Today’ is one among many on the list of potential candidates, just months after her surprise exit, the New York Post reported.

An NBC insider recently revealed, “There’s a long list of names and Hoda is part of that list. NBC never wanted Hoda to leave. The question is would Hoda want to do it?”

Hoda Kotb may take over as host of Kelly Clarkson's NBC daytime talk show

The source further divulged that NBC bosses want the 60-year-old broadcaster since she “ticks a lot of boxes. She’s an Egyptian, older Kelly Clarkson.”

Another major name that has made it to the list is ‘Today’ weekend anchor Maria Shriver.

But it has been speculated that Kotb could return after she left ‘Today’ earlier this year to spend more time with her family.

This new opportunity, however, will prove great for her as “a talk show is good for a mom,” the source noted, saying that the taping schedule is not crazy.

Kelly Clarkson is focusing on her children and music career

Meanwhile, it was reported that Kelly Clarkson is planning to leave her talk show to focus on her children—daughter River Rose, 10, and son Remy, 8.

A source shared last month, “Kelly’s No 1 priority is her children, and they always will be. The show is grueling. It’s a whole lot of work, and I hear that Kelly would like to spend more time down South.”

The 43-year-old singer is also reportedly busy with her ninth album, which is set to be released next month.

Besides, she is even launching a new Las Vegas residency from July 4 to August 16, along with additional shows from November 7-15. 

The source added, “If the album doesn’t do well, she might want to keep her talk show. But she has a lot going on, and the timing may be right for the next chapter.”

Kelly Clarkson once spoke about losing 'a lot'

The ‘Since U Been Gone’ hitmaker was absent from her talk show for many days lately. In March, she returned to celebrate the 1,000th episode after its 2019 launch.

As per Page Six, Clarkson said at the time, “We have laughed together, we have cried together with beautiful stories, sang together with some people, danced together, celebrated and competed together. I’ve lost, alone, a lot.”